Intellivision Amico - Tommy Tallarico introduction + Q&A

Tommy - Did you ever play Pitstop back on the day?  I had it for the Colecovision.  It may not have been an all-time classic, but I thought it was a pretty cool, innovative game.  It was a racing game where you had to make pit-stops.  You used fuel while racing and also your tires would wear down...you didn't crash, but would bump into cars or the shoulder and that would damage your tires.  You had to be strategic whether you made the pit-stop or not.  If you ran out of gas or blew a tire, you were screwed, so you could make the pit-stop or you could skip it and gamble that you could finish the race with your worn tires or without running out of fuel.  You also controlled the pit, so you would have a fuel guy and tire guys...if you overfilled the fuel, I think it emptied the tank and you had to start over, so took much longer in the pit...that was neat in that you could have a better or worse pit-stop that could win or lose you the race.  I think a game like this could be very cool for the Amico.  Just a suggestion...

14 hours ago, LePionnier said:

Tommy, I was playing a game with my son on the switch,  each one with a  $%?/&%&  small joy-con !

We were reading a small text, and another small text was waiting for us after a press of a button.

The problem is that me and my son can confirm that we have finished reading the text.

So almost at the same time, we pushed the button ! We never saw what was the second part we had to read !

 

So I was wondering, with Amico, when we will be 4 or even 8 players, it  will be madness if everyone can control what is happening on the tv screen ! !🧨✨🎨

It would be better if only one controller controlled the text on the screen (Player # 1)! What do you think ?

I personally dislike those small joy-con controllers as well.  Especially when you have to split them apart for 2 player action.  I'm surprised they don't get talked about more inside the Nintendo community (PS & XBOX folks say how much they hate them all the time).  I'm sure they are good for little kids... but adults?  Really?  In a perfect world, that would be the size of the game controller that you'd want?

 

I know exactly what you're talking about in regards to text and menus.  Annoying for sure.  First thing... we're not going to have too much text on screen ever. 

 

 

13 hours ago, RetroAdvisoryBoard said:

Of course you could do all of that with any ole controller or a phone app, so why bother... 😁

😂

13 hours ago, RetroAdvisoryBoard said:

So I can't play with my totally real girlfriend who lives in Canada?!?  Pffft, I'm about to throw down some serious hardcore gamer shade in the comments! 

 

Never thought about point 1.. especially with games where you're cooperatively playing and timing is so important.  But happy this is shelved to focus on no. 3 and not undermine family trust while trying to work out no. 2.  Nintendo has had a time of trying to figure out online play that meets expectations, no need to chase that rabbit if you don't have to.

Yeah... the one thing that folks typically don't know about online multi-player is that it more than DOUBLES the budget of any game, DOUBLES the time it takes to create a game and costs a lot to maintain and to constantly hit and pay for servers.  Very difficult to achieve with the way our business model is set up.  If and when we do come out with online multi-player it would not be a $9.99 price point.  We would literally lose money almost immediately... just in the servers alone.

 

 

12 hours ago, sanguinesonata said:

anyway to shut that off? i don't need some blade runner virtual avatar thing trying to seduce me every time i turn on the machine; nor do i need it to implant suggestions in my mind and tell me how to think.

Options will be available. 

But it's not what you're thinking.  Not like what you described above. 

 

 

 

12 hours ago, CurlyQ said:

 

I for one am very saddened to hear this. And many of my online video game friends are bummed as well.

 

But, I would also imagine that the cost of setting up and maintaining multiplayer servers would be a very expensive endevour for a relatively small company and a console that has yet to realize it's true potential.

 

Here's hoping that the Amico is a huge success! And we can all look forward to future growth and expansion!

 

Thanks.  Yes... that would be the plan.  Amico becomes hugely successful so that the business model works to where we wouldn't be losing money and putting the company in danger just for online multi-player.  I'm guessing it would be something we start looking at by year 2 or 3.

 

 

11 hours ago, Michael Garvey said:

Just as long as they don't name the second Amico...

 

"The Amico U"

 

And we will all do fine.

I'm not that stupid.

 

 

 

7 hours ago, CurlyQ said:

For those of you that might be interested, don't miss The Retro Hour's podcast interview of Don Daglow (game designer and programmer of Intellivision Baseball, Utopia and Shark Shark originator).

 

Don Daglow Wikipedia Link

 

Lots of very interesting insights and anecdotes for all you history buffs. 👍

 

 

This was an amazing interview great details on those stories 

10 hours ago, IMBerzerk said:

I'll let your console do the talking, and I think it's going to shout a few things! 

 

They and many others need to learn it's not all about hard-core gaming anymore.  My daughter (19) has a switch, plays all of 3 games on it... Animal Crossing, Mario Cart and Zelda.  My nephew (21) has a PS4... CoD and Sports.  It all depends on the player and what they like.  For someone to claim one system is better than the other is simply ignorant.  It's all about what each person wants out of a game.  Me... high end PC... Skyrim SE and  DCS World.  That's it other than the Retro stuff.  So, I'm no expert... but these guys need to be schooled on what gaming really is all about.

 

BTW... if you don't know what DCS World is ...  not plugging it... it's more about my point that gaming has MANY level and MANY interests per level.  It's not just what two guys yapping on and on about NES stuff.

 

 

Yes... born and raised in Long Island.  Lindenhurst to be exact... Pat Benetar's home town.  My oldest cousin went to HS with her.  My last name is a common household Italian table cheese... NOT Parmesan... LOL!

 

 

HOLY CRAP!!  WOW!!!   The trailer is AMAZING!!   Loved the editing, the music, the sound fx, etc.

Yeah... I would say that is the exact opposite of what Amico offers eh?   

Looking forward to trying it out.  Would be incredible on a big 4K screen with a flight stick and proper PC.

The Amico U2 - Special Edition, featuring Bono's head plastered across the system. Somehow, that N64 Pikachu system just popped into view. All that you can leave behind...   🤣

35 minutes ago, Tommy Tallarico said:

Yeah... the one thing that folks typically don't know about online multi-player is that it more than DOUBLES the budget of any game, DOUBLES the time it takes to create a game and costs a lot to maintain and to constantly hit and pay for servers.  Very difficult to achieve with the way our business model is set up.  If and when we do come out with online multi-player it would not be a $9.99 price point.  We would literally lose money almost immediately... just in the servers alone.

 

 

Can you offer more of an old school  experience for online.   Direct connect  via iPhone address  with we being  are our own servers or we set up dedicated servers.    As an option and in many ways it's a future proof option.

Edited March 23, 2020 by Nolagamer

4 minutes ago, save2600 said:

The Amico U2 - special edition, featuring Bono's head plastered across the system. Somehow, that N64 Pikachu system just popped into view. All that you can leave behind...   🤣

Can I get the limited addition John Alvarado portrait on my Amico. 

9 hours ago, Cranker said:

I just watched Pat and Ian’s video again when they talk about playing all of these games on your phone, I realize they must have no family or friends to play with. It’s makes me more sad than angry at this point as they don’t seem like happy people. This is not a normal review reaction. They seem to think that playing skiing for example on your phone is the same experience as playing with 2,3 or 4 players on your tv and sharing the experience with family and friends. (Not to mention high scores) If I download a skiing game for $1 on my phone, I will play a few times and that’s it because I like my gaming to be a shared experience and I have no motivation to keep playing (They don’t like when anyone says family and friends ...lol) They need to take their time and think about what they say. The same goes for all of the games they say “I can play this on my phone” think....think .....think about this instead of just being angry. If the system is not for you That’s fine but a review should be fair and your anger was showing before you began the review. Enough said ! 

I honestly just don't think they know much about mobile gaming.  I don't think they realize that for the most part you can't play couch co-op on mobile and/or how hard it is to control most of the action types of games we're doing.

 

Their description of playing Cornhole on mobile by using motion controls was absolutely absurd as it is impossible.

Would love to try and see them play our Skiing game on mobile by tilting the phone or putting your finger on the screen right in front of your skier to steer (but how would you see where you're going?) and then having to push another button (on that same small screen) each time you want to jump.  And yeah... explain how 4 players at a time in the same room on the same screen would happen? 

These guys have gotten so caught up in trying to prove me wrong that they literally aren't thinking straight.  Their arguments about why this shouldn't exists are embarrassing at this point.  The more they talk about it... the more they expose their bias and the fact that they don't really know anything about the industry outside of their Nintendo bubbles.  They also still refuse to understand (or find out) how our controller works and why most all of the games are unable to be played on any console.  It was one of my first responses on Twitter when Pat declared that any of our games can be played on Switch.  I politely said "No they can't and I'd like to speak with you to explain why"... and he says that I attacked him and I can't take criticism. 

You said above... "They need to take their time and think about what they say."

That shipped sailed a long time ago.  Their method (which they are entitled to) is to make a statement and then see if they can find an answer on Google to back it up.

 

At this point they are just going to continue to double down on their hatred and biased while we see Ian literally having emotional meltdowns as he awkwardly spews how much he hates us.

But hey... at least they made another $10 off that video.  Split 2 ways and after tax... they made $3.  At least they can go try out the Evel Knievel game before declaring it's the worst looking game ever.

 

 

9 hours ago, MinerWilly said:

How many players can play Skiing at the same time? Might be fun to see who gets to the finish line and who bumps into to the trees..

Exactly!  Agreed!

We call it Ski Cross mode and it's up to 4 human players!

 

This is what gave me the inspiration: 

 

https://youtu.be/tqgsv_im2DA

 

 

8 hours ago, Starpaddler said:

Hi Tommy,

 

Any plans for Amico to include ability to communicate with IE directly via the console; such as ability to respond to IE generated polls, submit game (and maybe later hardware) reviews, submit simple 5 star game rankings for IE collection in order for IE to advertise each games average user ranking, etc.?

 

Also, any chance you are teaming with Big Head Games out of the UK?  They did a real great lunar lander type game called Retro Cave Flier (now called Retro-X) that had great polish, but they never put it back on the ios app store after Apple went to 64 bit; at least in the US (looks like it’s still available in the UK). Was a great game with lots of attention put in to it and played as good as it looks.  Especially loved how the landing struts deployed when landing. 
 

Here’s a link should you be interested - http://www.bigheadgames.co.uk/game/retro-x/

 

Take care and as always, thanks for all you and your team continue to do!

We are still figuring out the first part of your question (user generated reviews, etc.)

 

Wasn't familiar with Big Head Games.  Great stuff!!  Gonna put them on my list.

 

 

8 hours ago, CurlyQ said:

For those of you that might be interested, don't miss The Retro Hour's podcast interview of Don Daglow (game designer and programmer of Intellivision Baseball, Utopia and Shark Shark originator).

 

Don Daglow Wikipedia Link

 

Lots of very interesting insights and anecdotes for all you history buffs. 👍

 

 

Don is great!  Will need to check it out when I have the time.

Did they ask him about Amico at all? 

 

 

9 hours ago, MinerWilly said:

That is exactly what they don't understand. Shared experience, well said.

They do. 

 

Both discussed with quite some enthusiasm how interested they were in the Super Russian Roulette Kickstarter launching as an NES homebrew.  Ian followed up a year and a half ago about how much fun he had playing it as a drinking game with friends. A party game, with minimal graphics, using the NES' zapper to take turns pulling the trigger and seeing who's unlucky enough to kill themselves.  THAT gets rave reviews.  Super Russian Roulette fills a need evidently, and was a great idea coming.  Suicide sim drinking game selling at $55... that one they charitably afford a market.  A great idea, is a lot of fun, a game entirely based on the shared experience, people should check it out.  - Ian & Pat.

 

And I'm not dismissing the game - it's a simple premise and a concept designed to have fun with friends.  But when Amico was proposed at $149 - $179, neither would entertain how anyone could find any redeeming value or appeal in such a system.  No one is there to chime in, "Hey guys, you were gushing over a $55 game that uses a Zapper to randomly assign kills.. you can just get a phone app randomizer to mix up clicks and misses and mix up an insulting cowboy to egg you on.  Why does this need a $55 cart?". 

 

I totally accept not feeling the system is for you, not finding anything appealing, and not thinking from your perspective or predictions that it'll have an audience.  They double down on taking jabs and hyperbole of just how god awful this thing is and will be every step of the way though.  Straight cognitive dissonance, there is no desire to step back and try to understand how it could work, zero engagement.      

Edited March 23, 2020 by RetroAdvisoryBoard

12 hours ago, Michael Garvey said:

Just as long as they don't name the second Amico...

 

"The Amico U"

 

And we will all do fine.

 

Nah, it's a fine name.   And the third can be ...

 

"Amico One"

 

 

43 minutes ago, RetroAdvisoryBoard said:

They do. 

 

Both discussed with quite some enthusiasm how interested they were in the Super Russian Roulette Kickstarter launching as an NES homebrew.  Ian followed up a year and a half ago about how much fun he had playing it as a drinking game with friends. A party game, with minimal graphics, using the NES' zapper to take turns pulling the trigger and seeing who's unlucky enough to kill themselves.  THAT gets rave reviews.  Super Russian Roulette fills a need evidently, and was a great idea coming.  Suicide sim drinking game selling at $55... that one they charitably afford a market.  A great idea, is a lot of fun, a game entirely based on the shared experience, people should check it out.  - Ian & Pat.

 

And I'm not dismissing the game - it's a simple premise and a concept designed to have fun with friends.  But when Amico was proposed at $149 - $179, neither would entertain how anyone could find any redeeming value or appeal in such a system.  No one is there to chime in, "Hey guys, you were gushing over a $55 game that uses a Zapper to randomly assign kills.. you can just get a phone app randomizer to mix up clicks and misses and mix up an insulting cowboy to egg you on.  Why does this need a $55 cart?". 

 

I totally accept not feeling the system is for you, not finding anything appealing, and not thinking from your perspective or predictions that it'll have an audience.  They double down on taking jabs and hyperbole of just how god awful this thing is and will be every step of the way though.  Straight cognitive dissonance, there is no desire to step back and try to understand how it could work, zero engagement.      

I watch their Youtube comments pretty closely. Lord Rayken has been arguing on their Youtube for days about how people pay a lot of money to play mobile games and Pat responded with his fingers stuck in his hears basically saying "no one pays $800 to play phone games." Pat is completely tone deaf and it looks like talking to him about anything is like trying to talk to a brick wall.

 

The first google search about phone micro transactions proves people pay thousands to play phone games, much more than the price of their phone. I believe Lord Rayken showed them a link about Flappy Bird phones selling for thousands. Lord Rayken may be hyper critical in here but he appears to be hyper critical of everyone equally. Pat and Ian deserve it more than most.

 

Pat is not only a total jerk, he's just a liar who has no interest in actual facts. They are completely contradictory in a lot of their opinions too. 

 

This goes beyond the Amico for me. It was really good to see Tommy's response but also quite sad to compare a business leader who's been in the industry for 30 years sitting in his mansion having to respond to these 40 year old losers who make a living out of talking shit on Youtube with stuffed animals and 35 year old cartridges covered in dust behind them.

 

Pat's books are also a joke. Many of the "reviews" of NES and SNES games in those books are 5 sentences and say nothing. 

Edited March 23, 2020 by 1001lives

3 hours ago, LordRayken said:

 

snip

I admire your post and I'm sure most of us appreciate the time that took you but you need to learn better formatting. It seems like you do a great job in your videos and on some of your posts when you want to, but for these threads you've barely been trying.

 

Not to detract from your argument...

 

I think you're saying the Amico isn't even as good as the Wii and you're talking about bad graphics. I think I can see the point in that the graphics may lead people to take unnecessary hits at Amico being "worse than" or "comparable to" a cheap android device but at a premium price with no android features? I guess? I'm also extrapolating some from your Youtube comments.

 

But to quote you, you "dragged that out" way too long. Hopefully Tommy will be able to answer you better than me because I barely understand some of your points due to the formatting. 

Edited March 23, 2020 by 1001lives

8 hours ago, LordRayken said:

 

hi tommy, thanks for the response. sorry it has taken me this long to respond. i will try to make my responses simple and quick. I think in this way it will be easiest to respond and i will not come off as a hater. these are common arguments and i also feel them too so I will go ahead and post.

 

Hi!  Thanks for the response.  Appreciate the dialogue and different point of view.

 

 

 

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if the TV comes with a controller then you have a system that is doing exactly what the amico does on a TV.

 

No.  Not at all.  I would respectfully disagree.

 

The controllers are dual analog sticks... complete turn off and non-starter for 93% of people who play video games on a daily basis. 

 

The stats are out there.  Just ask any person who plays mobile and doesn't have a modern home console and ask them why they don't.  They will tell you it's because the controls and games and graphics are too complicated.

 

 

 

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many of the games are more polished and more visually impressive than Amico which is not a TV even. no console required. the only thing you are saying that makes amico different is that it comes with controllers out of the box at this point. that is not a good pitch. you must have more to say on this that will convince people. as of right now you are just relying on uneducated people? you can also buy a simple android TV remote for the games no tan xbox controller.

 

Just talking about the controllers isn't our only pitch.  As mentioned in my last response.  The ability to play simple games in a couch co-op setting is our biggest advantage.  Our controller is a subset of that and access point.

Let's take a super simple game like Shark! Shark! for example.  Show me the game like that on Android TV that has 4 players all working together on the same screen.... and then show me 40 more... because that's what it would need to equal what we are providing.

 

We're not relying on un-educated folks at all.  They can't get the same experience we are offering on Android TV.  They just can't.  And even if they could... are they going to take all the steps in order to get it all hooked up to their TV?  Don't think about you and your friends... think about a non-gaming mom looking for something the family can play with together... no matter what the person's skill level.  Does Android TV offer that?  And if so... show me the marketing ad based around it that's getting to parents across the world.

It's kinda like the Beta vs. VHS argument.  Beta may have been the superior technological solution... but VHS still won hands down because they had the better and more focused message... (and porn).  

 

 

 

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i dont think this is true. if you take off your salesman hat (which is hard to do as president I know i mean no offense) i think that people will see these games as very old looking outside a core audience of amico fans. they do not look as good as even the fish in the dave n busters games. again it is another reliance on very uneducated people it seems. thats not a good look for amico. and my point was not about that people do not care about graphics, i think you may have misconstrued. some people do not care about graphics, that is true, but some people do.

 

I think this is where we are at opposite ends of the spectrum on our discussion.  I think you are putting way too much value on graphics. 

I know what I know NOT because I'm a biased CEO... but because I have tons of research to back it up.  I have had PS4 & XBOX hardcore fanboys tell us how cool they think our graphics are.  They love that everything is so simple and different.  I know you feel they are below average.  I totally get it and respect your opinion.  But you must respect that the majority of folks who we are targeting very much disagree with you. 

I think it comes down to this... art is subjective!  Some people HATED the graphics for Safe Cracker and Evel Knievel... and others absolutely LOVED them. 

Also, I would say that a good number of folks in here are very knowledgeable about other game systems and graphics out there... yet they still adore the art styles we are coming up with.  I think it's unfair to say that folks not in this bubble don't think the graphics are great.  Take a look at any of the reaction videos from folks not in this thread.  3 news ones came up over the past few days and they are all from hardcore modern gamers.  And they all loved the style. 

I'm not insane... I don't think our graphics are BETTER... but I do think... from a stylized standpoint... they are unique and stand on their own. 

All I can tell you at this point is that we've done a ton of research with gamers, non-gamers, casuals, kids, moms/dads, female/male, grandparents, etc. and in the area we are targeting we score very high in the "cool graphics" category. 

 

 

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my point was that even these low effort cheap android tv games look better visually and effects wise. that is not really excusable for a dedicated console with exclusive games. 

 

It's not about the graphics.  Our graphics are more than acceptable to folks we are targeting.  What the real "hit" is are the games and playability and FUN and enjoyment with others.  That is the most important important thing and something that things like Android TV lack.  Show me the fun couch co-op games where 4 people can gather around a TV (like they all did when they were growing up) and play a game where everyone feels like they have a chance to win and that is easy enough for Grandma to pick up and play as well. 

 

 

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i will admit skiing looks good but HORIZON CHASE looks 10x better than anything shown in that trailer and is an arcade racer perfect for amico. amico should be able to match HORIZON CHASE at launch. if not already. it has not shown that level or anywhere near.

 

 

Because for us... graphics take a back seat to playability, fun factor, design and couch co-op.  Can 4 players play Horizon Chase at once?  Does the mobile controller give you precise playability? 

 

 

 

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i think a grandparent will take cartoony or realistic bowling. it doesnt matter to the grandparent if they see what is happening. they just care about how easy it is to understand. i googled and there is no market research on cartoony vs realisic bowling so this is just your opinion versus mine.

 

I want to be as respectful to you as possible because I really do enjoy the dialogue and respect your opinion.  But it is very difficult for me to say "you're wrong" without coming off like a dick. 

 

So I apologize.

It's not my opinion against yours.  It's tons and tons of market reserach and focus testing.  I have zero reason to make up any of the things I say.  We could have easily put in a bigger/better graphic chip and make the price higher... but that isn't our goal.  I understand that graphics mean a lot to some folks.  And what I'm saying is that more people play Tetris, Solitaire, Candy Crush and Angry Birds then every home console game combined.  Even younger kids don't care about graphics.  Take a look at Roblox or Minecraft.  If no one had ever heard of those games and I came out yesterday to say these are going to be the biggest multi-BILLION dollar games for the next 14 years... you would have called me an absolute nut job.  

 

 

 

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general game feel / easy to control. but if you have a game with jpgs of balls vs a game with realistic 3d balls one makes your system look good and one doesn't. saying some people don't care if you use jpgs of footballs that are static images vs highly detailed footballs that bounce is not a good answer. 

 

But it is a good answer... because most people who we are targeting either don't care, or prefer 2D over 3D.

 

 

 

Quote

 

i hope this was clear i tried to be fair and accurate in my assessment. your answer is not necessarily everyones, as president you can say "no one cares if its bad graphics" but consumers do care and cared with wii.

 

I totally respect your point of view and hope I didn't come across as confrontational in any way.  So hard to have these kinds of conversations with hearing inflections, etc.     So hopefully we're all good.

 

Again I would say... consumers don't care as much about graphics as I believe you think they do.  And art/graphics are very personal to each person.  Just like real art... or music... or books.

From a music standpoint... folks can make fun of Baby Shark and Gundam Sytle all they want.  The most basic of basic when compared to the likes of Beethoven.  Yet look how popular they are around the world.

 

 

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this will seem very harsh and i am sorry tommy...

the wii you talk about has the game wii sports and the graphics and gameplay looks better than anything on amico... from 2006. cornhole is coming close but still missing the mark. 

 

so i ask as the console you reference 99% of the time

can you match the wii's graphics? if so, show us. we have not seen it.

 

 

Again.. we will need to agree to disagree.  I think that maybe you haven't plugged in a Wii for awhile as it could only do 480p.  I don't think there is anything on the Wii that looked as good as most of the games we showed... just because of the detail that 1080 affords.  It's like that time I played GoldenEye on the N64 20 years after it came out.  I remember in my mind how BRILLIANT it was and ahead of it's time.  Me & my GoldenEye crew of buddies got together to relive the old days of our endless nights of couch co-op fun.  We were appalled when we played.  We couldn't believe how crappy the framerate was or how blocky the graphics were.  In our minds it was perfect and super cool... like the day we first played it.  But then reality hits and you realize what you may have thought looked good 14 years ago on the Wii at 720p... doesn't look as great as you remember. 

 

But again... it's all style and opinion... and I get it and respect it.  Not everyone is going to like the same style of graphics/art or music... or gameplay.  But what we do know... is that the audience we are targeting DOES like our graphic/art style.  Not an opinion... just want the data continues to show us over and over.

 

 

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i am sorry again i promise I am not a hater. these are not easy pills to swallow or questions I ask and I realize this but the truth is wii itself did not have phone or android tv level games that were considered anything other than shovelware. that is not a console with the games you want to make.

 

You don't have to apologize at all!!  I super appreciate our conversation and feel we are both being super respectful (that is my goal anyway... and I apologize if it feels like I have crossed that line in any way... not my intention).

 

Yes.  Wii had a TON of shovelware.  Again... this is my point.  Nintendo 1st party didn't focus on those casual gamers as much as they could have.  They left it up to 3rd parties who were more interested in their best teams creating games for the PS & XBOX.  The worst teams were working on Wii... and it showed.

 

But again... art/graphics doesn't need to be the focus of shovelware... it was the lack of controls and playability and fun factor and design that made them crap.  ALL things that are the most important for a successful video game and ALL things that we are focused on first and foremost.

 

 

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you said you want an animal crossing game on Amico in the thread

your system has not even shown us it can play a game like mysims for wii yet. so if you want the wii's audience you need a system that can do what wii can do. CAN amico do this Tommy? show us a demo.

 

if it cannot you are in trouble because you cannot capture the wii's audience you want. enough said about this sorry for dragging it out.

Really?  We're in trouble?  So you think that my mom is interested in playing that game above?  Moving around an analog stick in a 3D space?  Do you think the non-gaming mom can pick up and play that side by side with her 6 year old son?  When grandpa comes over is that the type of game that folks will want to pick up and play in for a party situation?

 

If you're only referring to the graphics... again... I gotta say... yes... I think Astrosmash, Night Stalker, Cornhole, Auto Racing, Skiing and others do look way better than that. 

I personally hate the look of the characters, the ground textures are way too simple, everything looks completely pasted on with ZERO shading or shadows and the contrast as a whole is totally off.  The rooftops and awnings look totally out of place and stick out like a sore thumb.

But again... that is my personal opinion.  Yours may be that you LOVE the art style.  And that's okay.  But I think it's unfair to say that if we don't have a game that looks like this then we are in trouble.

 

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sorry this was an epic fail on my part.

 

I posted that list to ask if amico can run games like this or if exclusives on amico are shaping up to that quality level.

i should ask you this because it is being seen a lot by your nemesis Pat and Ian (I refer to them as one person lol)

 

when will we see amico quality at this level? are any games shaping up to this level?

 

 

That's a very distinct style.  I personally like it.  We probably agree on that one.  No reason why we couldn't do something like that.  Our BackTalk Party game has a style somewhat similar (although not a 2D shooter).

 

 

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tommy the biggest hit on wii was wii bowling which was a take turns game while people watched and had fun. it wasnt the co-op that drew people in.

 

Although true "on paper", I completely disagree with this statement.  The big reason why Wii was a success is that it brought people together in the same room.  Our motto is:  TOGETHER AGAIN.  Not Couch Co-Op again.  

 

Yes... Bowling as a game isn't officially couch co-op.  But when I say couch co-op I usually follow it up with "versus" modes as well.   Bringing people back together to have simple fun is our main goal.  Wheter it's couch co-op, local multiplayer, versus, etc. doesn't matter.

 

 

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the second hit was Mario Kart Wii. again epic fail on my part i meant to use that link to ask about quality mainly.

 

do you have a kart racer or any plans for one?

 

The Auto Racing game we showed has a kart racing type of vibe for sure.  But try to forget about 3D kart racing for a second.  You'll be seeing a demo later this week that shows how cool the other racing game we keep showing is all about.  And you don't need to control anything in 3D.

 

 

 

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sorry that is a good salespitch but it is not what many are finding. most are finding non-gamers loving apple arcade. this is a good article you may not have seen puzzle games, word games, etc. that non gamers are loving.

 

it pains me to say bu these are better than what amico has shown us too.

 

https://www.bustle.com/p/what-games-are-on-apple-arcade-even-non-gamers-will-have-fun-with-these-18791520

 

Really?  Wow.  Yeah.... we definitely have different art/graphic tastes.  I thought those all looked horrible if I'm being honest. 

 

Like... really bad.  Some looked like Clip Art and others just looked too bright and confusing.  They are stylized for sure (like most of our stuff is as well.... just different styles)... but I don't look at any of those games and find myself wanting to play them in any way shape or form.  And not just because of the graphics... but because the games don't look fun to me.  Maybe they are!!  I just don't see myself personally being interested.

 

 

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finally after feeling like a blunt asshole,

in the end I am buying an amico day 1 and will support you because you are awesome and i hope you will take these tough questions to the team. i know tyou do not have giant budgets and are wanting to make something good but outside of the people ITT you are not impressing many people.

Not at all!  Please don't feel like an asshole at all.  You have always been super respectful.  No worries there my friend.  No worries.

 

Gotta disagree hard with you one last time here.  You say that we aren't impressing many people outside of this circle of fans, etc.  That just isn't true.

I've seen you fight like crazy with folks on Pat&Ian YouTube comments... and yes... the folks on there are not impressed.  They are triggered by the negativity that they both continue to spew.  But get off that channel and see what the majority of people are really saying.  I think you've let those negative folks poison your thinking that everyone except the folks here aren't impressed.

Again I'll bring up...

 

We have 55,000 views on our newest trailer and only around 125 dislikes!  If people were as disappointed as you have assumed... wouldn't the dislikes be a LOT more?  Look at the latest Sony PS5 video from this week.  Look at the dislike ratio on that train wreck.  But Sony will do fine... I'm sure.  Just like we will. 

Keep the faith my friend... remember that most of the games you saw on that trailer have at least 6 more months to go AND you haven't played them yet with friends and family.

 

Thank-you for your honesty and thoughts.  Much appreciated and thank you for your continued support!

 

 

 

3 hours ago, 1001lives said:

If the collections are physical statues that just makes it that much more appealing. I am tired of cases on my bookshelf that don't actually add anything to my room or look impressive themselves. When I buy a game like Earthworm Jim I want to see Jim and be reminded I own that game, not just see it when I look under E on my shelf.

 

....or both?

 

 

 

2 hours ago, Hwlngmad said:

100% no worries Tommy!  Thank you for your reply and you are most welcome for engagement.  I appreciate it and definitely you bring up some very good and solid points.  I look forward to seeing more trailers and information in the days to come and wish you, Intellivision, and the Amico the best.  Take care and for the record you did not come across as trying to debate me in anyway shape or form.

Thanks!  I appreciate your thoughts!

 

 

2 hours ago, timbofry1 said:

Tommy - Did you ever play Pitstop back on the day?  I had it for the Colecovision.  It may not have been an all-time classic, but I thought it was a pretty cool, innovative game.  It was a racing game where you had to make pit-stops.  You used fuel while racing and also your tires would wear down...you didn't crash, but would bump into cars or the shoulder and that would damage your tires.  You had to be strategic whether you made the pit-stop or not.  If you ran out of gas or blew a tire, you were screwed, so you could make the pit-stop or you could skip it and gamble that you could finish the race with your worn tires or without running out of fuel.  You also controlled the pit, so you would have a fuel guy and tire guys...if you overfilled the fuel, I think it emptied the tank and you had to start over, so took much longer in the pit...that was neat in that you could have a better or worse pit-stop that could win or lose you the race.  I think a game like this could be very cool for the Amico.  Just a suggestion...

OH HELLS YEAH!!!   I've spoken about it in this thread before.  One of my favs!

1 hour ago, Nolagamer said:

Can you offer more of an old school  experience for online.   Direct connect  via iPhone address  with we being  are our own servers or we set up dedicated servers.    As an option and in many ways it's a future proof option.

Maybe someone could LifeHack that for us.